I get private messages on various sites asking me which is better? “Should I lease phpFoX and try it out for a few months or should I purchase a License?”

I always say the same thing: “It depends.”

It depends on what you’re wanting to do with your Community. If you’re serious and you’ve got money to put into your site — PURCHASE a license. Why? Simple… in the long run you’ll save money.

Think about it… you pay $40 a month for 3 months and decide you do, in fact, want to purchase a license, you just spent $120 “to save money”. Of course this doesn’t make sense.

In the past phpFoX kept their leased licenses encrypted. I honestly don’t know if they still do… I would think so but I’m not positive if they still do so.

But the simple fact is — IF YOU’RE WANTING TO START A COMMUNITY - PLAN IT OUT FOR A MINIMUM OF 2 MONTHS. Do your research, check out other Social Networking Sites (SNS or SNC = Community [my own acronyms]) and see what people like about the current sites you know of. Come up with a Niche Market - NOT a sub-market! There’s too many sub markets already. You need to come up with a Niche Market that will give you a lot less competition.

During those 2 months - come up with little ideas to set you apart from other communities. Hire a programmer you can trust to help you create new Mods (modifications) that will help set you apart. Come up with a cool slogan. Think of a hot logo. Figure out an awesome color scheme. Try to stick with a web 2.0 look in case you want to sell to an investor (or investor group). Web 2.0 sells… trust me.

Bottom line — a Lease is going to cost a serious Community developer more money.

Sure, my affiliate link to phpFoX makes me more money for a purchase compared to a lease but it also saves that person more money in the long run.

Also, if you’re thinking of purchasing 2 or more scripts at once - CONTACT SALES! They’ll work out a good deal for you to save a few extra bucks. Just tell them where you heard about it